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I got into dentistry because my grandfather was a dentist, and when we drove out to Pennsylvania once a year for a week to visit, I got to see his office. What fascinated me from the beginning is the little tools and all the little gadgets because I'm a gadget guy. We were there all the time meeting our cousins and he lived a nice life—I could see that even when I was young. I said, "Wow, that's kind of a ... I'm very interested in that kind of thing."
I built models when I was a kid and cast lead soldiers and painted 'em and do those kind of things. I liked the gadgets, I liked the technical part of it. I call it micromechanics because I can work on an automobile and use neat tools and it's the same kind of thing as—it’s all physics. It's the same with dentistry; you have some really neat tools and gadgets to use to accomplish what you want to do.
Dr. Mark Van Buskirk isn’t afraid of hard work. The Hammond, IN native got a grant to attend Wabash College, where he majored in biology and competed on the school’s wrestling team. He painted houses and apartments while attending Indiana University School of Dentistry prior to his graduation in 1982. After receiving his DDS, he worked as an associate for nine years with a local dentist before taking over the practice, now Van Buskirk & Krischke DDS, LLC.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time under the hoods and behind the wheels of vintage cars, especially Ford hot rods. He is especially proud of a 1932 Ford roadster that he took to numerous prestigious auto shows, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It was named one of the world’s most important 1932 Fords on the 75th anniversary of the iconic automobile, which is often called the “Deuce.” Dr. Van Buskirk also participated in touring events such as the Colorado Grand and the California Mille. Some of his favorite experiences racing his vintage cars include competing in a reenactment of the famous Cannonball Run from New York City to Dana Point, CA, and racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and El Mirage Dry Lakes in California.
In addition to restoring cars, he likes to research them and find out their history. Kathy, his wife since 1991, shares his love of vintage cars. His wedding gift to her was a white MGB roadster. The couple lives on a “hobby farm” with several horses, rescued cats and dogs, and one rabbit.
